The Wait Is Over

Preparing To Shine

Training for the Breakers today was reasonably intense, but short so that all players and staff could rest up and get all fancy for tonight's "Meet The Breakers" season-ticket holders event at the Boston Public Library. Having made no moves since signing Meagan on Wednesday, Lee, John, and Yael evaluated the roster to date and discussed future changes to consider.

John: The 20 we have now are solid on the whole, but of course we'd like to get even stronger if we can.

Yael: Where are we still lacking in your opinion?

John: We still need reinforcements defensively. Our #1 goalkeeper and preferred back five should prove to be fantastic, but behind them is a lot of inexperience and shaky play. We also don't have any real height up front. There are times when our tallest players on the field are Mewis, Labbe, and Andrews in that order. Lee, do we have any assets to go into the market, or are we more or less resigned to signing players from the street or from overseas?

Lee: There are always resources. It's just a matter of how highly you value keeping them versus what you can get in return.

John: Stout is lacking when it comes to playing the top teams in this league. If Steph were to get hurt and be out an extended period of time, we'd probably have to go find someone since I don't trust Libby  to keep clean sheets or steal us points. We will have to make a move once we activate Abby, and getting that #9 will be crucial when teams figure out how to manage our midfield movement.

Lee: Those two positions are on EVERYONE'S wish list. Get in line and hope you can snag something when the time is right.

Yael: I think we'd be better off building up the reserves squad with some non-college personnel and then bringing up players if we need to make replacements later in the season.

John: That's probably the smarter move. I don't want to give up any of our young players and getting a significant upgrade on what we have would require doing that.

Lee: So hold tight for now, then.

John: Yes.

Business done, the three left to take care of their sprucing-up errands in advance of tonight.

***

Yael arrived at Steph and Kyah's apartment to have lunch with the goalkeeper and help her pick out something for tonight's gala. Kyah is off with Libby and Allysha at the hair salon, so the two have the place to themselves. Yael stopped by the market on the way over to pick up lunch for the pair since there is no real food at these events beyond appetizers.

Steph: Are you trying to get to my heart through my stomach?

Yael: Maybe.....or just making sure we both get enough to eat before tonight's event.

Yael put the food on the counter and hung her outfit for tonight on the back of the bathroom door so she can change into it quickly when the time comes. Steph divvied out the portions and the two of them sat at the kitchen island, looking thoughtfully at one another.

Yael: We need to figure out how to keep our relationship under wraps when around the team or out in public.

Steph: It's easy enough to do it when we're at home, since we live separately and no one thinks it odd if we're out some place after training.

Yael: Right, but on the road it's a different story. With me having my own room and being in charge of the room assignments, we need to be careful not to tip off anything to the others.

Steph: So no late-night rendezvous.

Yael: Probably not, but coffee in the morning or going for a run together wouldn't look too out of order.

Steph: So it's about making sure we look like friends around others even though we're more than that away from them.

Yael: Right.

Steph reached across and placed her hand on Yael's, giving it a tender squeeze.

Steph: I need to tell you something. I know that I'm not ready to be in a full-fledged relationship at the moment, but I also am not doing so well on my own, turning to booze to numb myself from feeling the loneliness and pain of losing someone I now believe I cared for a lot, even if I didn't act like it some of the time.

Yael: Stephanie, first I'd like to thank you for trusting me enough to share that with me. Second, I want you to know that my heart breaks thinking of you being in such despair. I know that I have some effect on you, because you show that to me through your touch and your actions. I am starting to fall for you, even though we agreed not to let that happen while I was still with Aaron.

Steph: I guess the heart wants what it wants, and yours wants me, at least that's what it sounds like.

Yael: That's right. I love you, and I want you. I know it's sudden and unexpected, but sometimes you can't plan for the perfect moment to make a decision like that.

Steph: This is a new development, one I didn't expect so soon. I don't know right now what to say, really. I did say that I'd be fine either as your behind-closed-doors lover or as your girlfriend, based on what happens with Aaron. I think I have only one choice now. Even though I'm not 100% ready to be in a relationship, I would like to start one with you. I know that I do not want to share myself physically with anyone else, and if I can get my heart and mind to heal, I am sure that I won't want anyone else to have possession of those either.

Yael leaned over and kissed Steph, breaking the second of their two-rule deal from Orlando.

Yael: We need to see about getting you dressed for tonight.

The two of them walked into Steph's room and looked through her closet for an outfit. After a little consultation, they settled on a cold-shoulder black midi dress and a pair of black open-toe block heels with ankle straps. They then go back out to the living room and curl up on the couch together, enjoying the quiet of the place and serenity of their new-found commitment.

***

Patrick walks into his room to see Meagan rummaging through his closet, trying to pick out something for him to wear tonight for the Meet the Breakers event.

Meagan: Do you have ANY dress shirts, Patrick?

Patrick: There should be a couple in there, although I don't wear them much.

Meagan: Don't see anything that I would consider workable with a suit.

Patrick comes walking over to the closet and pulls out two, one forest green and the other midnight blue.

Meagan: Those are too dark, in my opinion. Remember, you want to make a good first impression on Morgan.

Patrick thinks for a second about that. Yes, this would be the first chance he will have to talk face-to-face with Morgan Andrews, a player he has followed from afar for a number of years, starting when she played for the New England Mutiny in the WPSL, and for whom he is slightly fanboy.

Patrick: Pick something, please. I have no clue what will work.

Meagan throws a pair of black pants and a grey sports coat on the bed alongside the green shirt. "I suppose this will have to do. I REALLY need to take you shopping and spruce up this wardrobe of yours."

Patrick: Thanks, Meagan.

Meagan: I think you'll pass muster tonight. Just don't overplay your secret in order to get in good with anyone.

Patrick: Of course not! To them, I'm a women's soccer fan and season ticket holder of the Breakers, plus your friend. Abby knows, though, because it came up during a session right after you were offered your trial and I was giving her my opinion on how I thought you'd do.

Meagan leaves Patrick's apartment to return to hers and get ready for the evening. Patrick gets ready himself and has a quick bite to eat before leaving to pick up Meagan.